Kilkea Castle in Kilkea, County Kildare, hosts conferences of up to 240 delegates, gala dinners for up to 260 guests, and exclusive-hire weddings and corporate retreats. The castle dates from the 12th century and stands on a 180-acre estate with a golf course, about one hour by road from Dublin.
Seminars and company events
The Baronial Hall sits under the castle and overlooks the gardens and the golf course. It takes up to 240 delegates in conference layout. The DeLacy Suite is built for meetings, conferences and team-building days. It has a retractable screen of 16 ft by 10 ft, a 7000-lumen laser projector, built-in audio and multimedia, natural daylight, a pre-conference area, a private entrance and exclusive parking. The venue does not publish a seated capacity for it, so confirm the figure for your layout.
The Albatross and Eagle Suites are on the second floor of the Clubhouse. They have daylight, a drop-down screen and a projector, and can be set boardroom, cabaret, theatre or U-shape. Several breakout and syndicate rooms, all with daylight and views over the estate, complete the setup for a program that runs in parallel sessions. The 180 acres leave space for outdoor team-building, and the golf course is on site.
Weddings and receptions
The whole castle can be booked on an exclusive basis for weddings, civil partnerships and corporate retreats. The refurbished ballroom seats up to 260 for a gala dinner. A formal dinner can also be served in the Banquet Hall, and champagne afternoon tea in the Drawing Room. In summer, a barbecue can be held in the private garden, which has its own bar and barbecue area.
Rooms and capacities
The Baronial Hall holds 240 delegates and the ballroom seats 260 for dinner. Hermione's Restaurant takes 120 guests for lunch or dinner and overlooks the ninth hole. Restaurant 1180, in the 12th-century part of the castle, takes 60 guests. The Keep, on the ground floor of the castle, suits cocktails and informal catering, with a patio in warmer months.
Accommodation
The resort has 140 bedrooms in three types: Castle Bedrooms, Castle Courtyard Bedrooms and the Lodges at Kilkea. Delegates and wedding guests can stay on the estate, so the group sleeps, meets and eats on one site.
Catering
Catering is run in-house. Hermione's Restaurant and Restaurant 1180 serve lunch and dinner, with traditional Irish cooking and some international influences at Restaurant 1180. Buffets and barbecues are offered for 35 to 250 guests, made with locally sourced Irish produce and live barbecuing.
History and setting
The castle is described as 12th century, and the estate, Kilkea Demesne, lies near Castledermot in the south of County Kildare. Accommodation, golf course and event rooms share one site, so a group needs no transport between sessions, meals and bedrooms.
Getting there
The estate is about one hour by road from Dublin. Parking is available on site, and Dublin is the nearest major airport.
